Last modified: 2005-07-23 by ivan sache
Keywords: european union | civil ensign | stars: 12 (yellow) | canton: belgium | canton: italy | canton: netherlands | proposal |
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Description
It has became more and more common to see ships hoisting what
could be called a European civil ensign, made of the
European Union flag with the national flag of
one of the member countries in canton.
These civil ensigns have had until now no official status and
should not replace the national civil ensign.
Such ensigns have been reported for Belgium, France, Germany (with also an 'ensign' of a different design), Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Ivan Sache, 17 January 2001
Legal status
The European civil ensign must not be used alone on any ship. It
can be used for decoration, but it is not advisable to substitute it
for the ensign.
An ensign of a ship not only shows the nationality, but also shows
where the ship is insured. If the owner replaces the ensign by a
European 'ensign' he will loose all insurance for his ship.
That is fact in Germany, and I think it might be elsewhere. I
received that information from a ship insurance company.
Ralf Stelter (Archiv für Flaggenkunde), 7 January 2001
European civil ensign: Belgium
![[European civil ensign]](../images/b/be~eun.gif)
by Ivan Sache
![[European civil ensign 2]](../images/b/be~eun1.gif)
by Ivan Sache
More details on these flags can be read here.
Ivan Sache, 29 July 1999
European 'civil ensign': Germany
![[European civil ensign Germany]](../images/e/eun~de.gif)
by Ivan Sarajćić
More details on this flag can be read here.
European 'civil